Sofia National Ballet Tours the UK in July

[Jan McNulty]

I've received an email from ATG advertising a tour by Sofia National Ballet. The company will be touring Giselle, Don Quixote and Swan Lake.

 

The company is touring to: Liverpool, Aylesbury, Glasgow, Briston, Manchester, Woking and Milton Keynes.

 

Here is an ATG page with the details for Don Q: http://www.atgticket...e_tabs=tab_tour

 

From the email:

"Formed in 1928 and steeped in the Russian classical tradition for over 80 years, the Sofia National Ballet has become a national cultural institution in Bulgaria and is now developing an international reputation for its remarkable and breathtaking performances.

 

Featuring a company of 90 performers including a full orchestra. Their remarkable talent is perfectly showcased as they delight audiences with their magnificent skills, elaborate sets and

dazzling costumes."

[alison]

I noticed that on ATG's website yesterday, and was wondering if anyone knew anything about them?

[Bruce Wall]

I have seen them in Sofia at their beautiful opera house and quite enjoyed the performance I saw of Don Q. It is a very solid regional company.

[hfbrew]

Brilliant, hopefully I will get to Aylesbury as part of my mission to support regional Theatres who show Ballet and see a company new to me!

[Don Q Fan]

Thanks for the info Janet. Great to hear SNB are reputable I have booked my Don Q for Liverpool - and will poss do Manchester too!

Edited January 15, 2013 by Don Q Fan

[Bruce]

Here you go - may be of interest...

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Raymond Gubbay presents

SOFIA NATIONAL BALLET

 

The Sofia National Ballet has announced an exclusive debut UK summer tour for 2013, performing in nine venues around the country.

 

Formed in 1928 and steeped in the Russian classical tradition for over 80 years, Sofia National Ballet has become a national cultural institution in Bulgaria and is now fast developing an international reputation for its remarkable and breath-taking performances. Featuring a company of 90 performers including an acclaimed corps de ballet and a full orchestra, their outstanding talent is perfectly showcased as they delight audiences with their magnificent artistry, elaborate sets and beautiful costumes.

 

Don Quixote

Giselle

Swan Lake  

 

Performed by

Sofia National Ballet

Accompanied by the Orchestra of Sofia National Ballet

General Director - Professor Plamen Kartaloff

Artistic Director / Prima ballerina - Sara-Nora Krysteva

 

Don Quixote

No ballet can equal this Russian showpiece of thrilling technique, pure panache and explosive balletic fireworks. This is the enchanting story of an eccentric, yet noble old gentleman Don Quixote. His dreams of a fantasy world full of brave knights and beautiful ladies take us on a chivalrous adventure with his trusty servant. Love, duels and spectacular choreography combine with a dash of Spanish passion in one of the most beautiful and moving of all ballets.

 

Swan Lake

The most romantic ballet of all time tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse. The contrasting backdrops of scenes by a moon-lit lakeside and the opulent splendour of a Palace ballroom are enriched by Tchaikovsky’s superbly orchestrated musical narrative flowing seamlessly as the performance unfolds.

 

Giselle

The most poignant of all classical ballets combines powerful emotions and visual splendour in a chilling and heart-rending tale of love, treachery and forgiveness from beyond the grave. The story of Giselle and her aristocratic but duplicitous lover Albrecht is set to a glorious score and brought to life by the virtuoso performances of Sofia National Ballet.

 

Dates/venues:

 

1 - 3 July LIVERPOOL Empire Theatre tel 0844 871 3017

Giselle 01 July - 19:30

Don Quixote 02 July - 19:30

Swan Lake 03 July - 19:30

Tickets: £10.00, £18.50, £24.00, £29.50, £34.00, £38.00

 

4 - 6 July READING The Hexagon tel 0118 960 6060

Don Quixote 04 July - 19:30

Giselle 05 July - 19:30

Swan Lake 06 July - 14:30 & 19:30

Tickets: £29.50, £32.50, £34.50

 

8 - 10 July AYLESBURY Waterside Theatre tel 0844 871 7607

Don Quixote 08 July - 19:30

Giselle 09 July - 19:30

Swan Lake 10 July - 14:30 & 19:30

Eves: £16.00, £20.00, £24.00, £28.00, £31.00, £36.00

Mats: £13.00, £17.00, £21.00, £25.00, £29.00, £32.00

 

11 - 13 July GLASGOW King’s Theatre tel 0844 871 7648

Don Quixote 11 July - 19:30

Giselle 12 July - 19:30

Swan Lake 13 July - 14:30 & 19:30

Tickets: £15.00, £19.50, £25.00, £28.00, £31.00, £36.00

 

15 - 17 July EDINBURGH Playhouse tel 0844 871 3014

Don Quixote 15 July - 19:30

Giselle 16 July - 19:30

Swan Lake - 17 July - 19:30

Tickets: £17.50, £22.50, £26.50, £32.50, £34.50, £39.50

 

19 - 21 July BRISTOL Hippodrome tel 0844 871 3012

Giselle 19 July -19.30

Swan Lake 20 July - 14:30 & 19:30

Swan Lake 21 July - 14:30

Eves: £14.00, £26.00, £31.00, £36.50, £40.50

Mats: £11.00, £14.00, £18.00, £25.00, £30.00

 

22 - 24 July MANCHESTER Palace Theatre tel 0844 871 7627

Don Quixote 22 July - 19:30

Giselle 23 July - 19:30

Swan Lake 24 July - 14:30 & 19:30

Tickets: £15.00, £19.50, £26.00, £32.00, £37.00

 

25 - 27 July WOKING Victoria Theatre tel 0844 871 7645

Don Quixote 25 July - 19:30

Giselle 26 July - 19:30

Swan Lake - 27 July - 14:30 & 19:30

Tickets: £17.00, £21.00, £26.00, £31.00, £37.00

 

29 - 31 July MILTON KEYNES Theatre tel 0844 871 7652

Giselle 29 July - 19:30

Don Quixote 30 July - 19:30

Swan Lake 31 July - 14:30 & 19:30

Tickets: £15.00, £24.00, £29.00, £33.00, £36.00, £41.00

 

Tickets are subject to booking fee. For further information and to book tickets online go to: www.raymondgubbay.co.uk/SofiaBallet

 

Video footage of Sofia National Ballet can be viewed:

 

End.

[restor]

Seems to be another good quality company touring the Uk at no cost to taxpayers.

[Marieve]

I'm starting to think that certain posters are here with a hidden agenda

 

Sofia National Ballet look fab

[Jan McNulty]

I've booked for Don Q, may do more!

[dollyry]

I'm hoping to see Giselle having always wanted to see it live.

[Jan McNulty]

I don't know where you are based Dolly but BRB are also doing Giselle in Birmingham, Belfast and Dublin at the end of June.

[MAB]

Seems to be another good quality company touring the Uk at no cost to taxpayers.

 

Of the countless eastern European companies touring the UK in the past decade only St Petersburg Ballet Theatre were worth shelling out for and they don't tour here any more because the shady spivs that have recently gone into the impresario game are engaged in a race to the bottom on substance & quality, so who exactly these 'good quality companies' are I'd be interested to know.

 

Perhaps Sofia National Ballet will be worth going to see, but on the other hand we may see long since retired, out of condition dancers, dancing in front of sets that are falling apart.  I hope that isn't the case but won't be surprised if it is.

[Jan McNulty]

MAB, I shall report back when I have seen them!

[Don Q Fan]

I have booked all 3 perfs in Liverpool - I certainly expect them to be as good as any other touring company no reason to doubt as far as I am aware.  Even if the sets and costumes are "rammy" that doesn't mean the dancing will be - look at Cuba NB - terrible costumes - falling apart in some cases - and the Kirov SB ones are not up to much either but the dance surpassed all that!!!  I love a good costume but at the end of the day I am there to see the dance so fingers x'd it will be good.